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Five-tool players lead the way in fantasy OF rankings

The most impressive collection of fantasy talent, by far, can be found in the outfield. There's always been plenty of depth, but it wouldn't be a stretch to think that any of the top-tier outfielders could

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Five-tool players lead the way in fantasy OF rankings

Steve Gardner, USA TODAY Sports
5:33 p.m. EST February 25, 2013

As fantasy baseball season approaches, USA TODAY Sports is taking an in-depth look at each position. Today: Outfield

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen finished second to Buster Posey in the National League batting race last season with a .327 average. He also hit 31 home runs and stole 20 bases.(Photo: Scott Rovak, USA TODAY Sports)

Story Highlights

Ryan Braun is still the top overall choice for his talent and consistency

Any one of the top 13 outfielders could conceivably become fantasy's No. 1 overall player

Oakland's Yoenis Cespedes is one of the most popular breakout picks this spring

The most impressive collection of fantasy talent, by far, can be found in the outfield.

There's always been plenty of depth, but it wouldn't be a stretch to think that any of the top-tier outfielders could finish the season as the No. 1 overall fantasy performer. (The Angels' Mike Trout made that jump last season and he even spent the first month in the minors.)

There's the tantalizing upside that makes one wonder just how good Mike Trout, Jason Heyward, Justin Upton or Bryce Harper will ultimately be.

And don't forget the consistency of Matt Holliday.

League imbalance

But looking closer at the baker's dozen at the top of our outfield rankings, we find that only three of them play in the American League. For all the depth the pool of outfielders can be counted on to provide, the elite talent is actually rather scarce in the AL.

And there are even reasons to be concerned about the Junior Circuit's top three. For Trout, it's regression after such a fantastic rookie season. For Bautista, it's the wrist surgery that limited him to 27 home runs in 92 games – after he had hit a total of 97 over the previous two seasons. For Hamilton, it's moving from one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks to one of the best for pitchers.

The National League gained a several additional weapons in the offseason with the acquisitions of Shin-Soo Choo, Denard Span and Ben Revere – along with the free-agent signing of B.J. Upton.

The AL didn't come up completely empty; Melky Cabrera signed with Toronto, Shane Victorino latched on with Boston and Chris Young was traded to Oakland. But still, AL-only owners will likely find it a bit more difficult to fill their rosters with proven talent, especially in leagues that start five outfielders.

Bargain hunting

Are there still some intriguing picks left? Most definitely.

Oakland's Yoenis Cespedes showed impressive raw physical skills as he arrived from Cuba, but the question was how well – and how quickly – those skills would translate in the majors. After putting up decent first-half numbers Cespedes hit his stride after the All-Star break – posting a .311/.376/.533 slash line with 14 homers and 46 RBI in helping lead the A's to a stunning division title. He's been rocketing up draft boards over the past few weeks.

Several of the middle-tier outfielders can be excellent speed sources. Eight of last season's top 10 in steals are outfielders – including three-time NL stolen-base king Michael Bourn, who was anything but speedy in finally signing with the Indians.

It's not a bad idea to save a final outfield spot for one of the other potential 40-steal threats such as Rajai Davis, Coco Crisp, Desmond Jennings Juan Pierre, Cameron Maybin, Emilio Bonifacio or Drew Stubbs. They may not give you a whole lot in some of the other categories, but speed never slumps.

USA TODAY Sports’ Steve Gardner takes a look at some intriguing fantasy options in the outfield for 2013.